Stag Parties

At present, Anglican church weddings can be only be held in a parish where either the bride or the groom live or worship, unless they apply for a special licence. Today more than a quarter of all marriages in Great Britain take place before God in the traditional setting of an Anglican Church. In general a British citizen over the age of 18 years has the right to be married in the parish church or in a church licensed for Anglican weddings in the parish in which the person lives, unless one of the parties is divorced and has a surviving former spouse.

The corollary is that, in general, it is difficult to obtain the necessary legal permission to marry in a church that is not the parish church or a licensed church within the parish of either, unless either party is a regular worshipper in that church and on its Electoral Roll. The first place to go for further information about your entitlement to marry in a particular church is the parish priest. This is particularly so where one or both of the parties has more than one residence.

Divorce and Remarriage

In the case where one or both parties has been divorced and has a surviving former spouse the legal right to a wedding in a church does not apply. The final decision as to whether to conduct such a wedding lies solely with the parish priest of the church involved. Some will not do so under any circumstances, while others are prepared to do so, often after referring to the Church Guidelines on the matter.

Mixed Marriages

There is normally no impediment to a member of the Church marrying a Christian of another denomination (e.g. Roman Catholic, Methodist, etc.) – whether or not the wedding takes place in an Anglican church or elsewhere. Persons of other faiths or of no faith at all are permitted by the Marriage Act to be married in an Anglican church. The Minister would first explain the nature of the promises that are made in the marriage service.

Arrangements for the Marriage

A marriage has to take place between 8am and 6pm. It can take place on any day of the week, though some clergy may refuse to do Sunday weddings, or weddings during Lent (the six weeks before Easter) and Advent (four weeks leading up to Christmas).
As far as the details of the service are concerned, before deciding on the hymns and other music at the service, the minister should be consulted. Legally, he or she has the right to decide which hymns and music are to be used, but usually this is a matter of discussion with the couple to be married, and there are not normally difficulties. The minister also has the final word on the floral and other decorations of the church. Photographs and tape or video recordings require the sanction of the minister and, in the case of the latter, require copyright.
Civil Ceremonies

Licensed venues

There are many venues in the UK such as hotels, halls, stately homes, restaurants and even football clubs that have been granted licences to hold civil weddings, although some may only allow you to get married there if you will hold your reception there as well. As soon as you have selected your venue you will need to contact the Registration Officers who need to be present for the ceremony. Don’t leave this too late as they can get very booked up. Yes they have a licence. What a view but a bit cramped if you plan to invite lots of guests.

Confetti

All important at the Church for when the newly weds leave for the reception. No wedding is complete without the obligatory confetti shower as the newly weds emerge from the Church. Have a look at the confetti direct site’s listed below for more information.

www.confettidirect.co.uk
www.findachurch.co.uk/info/weddings.html
www.churchinwales.org.uk/Llandaff/
www.cul.co.uk/music/wedding.htm
www.wedguide.co.uk/churchweddings.html

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